Why More Students are Choosing Community Colleges over Traditional Four-Year Schools

Community colleges are quickly becoming a key competitor against four year universities – and for many good reasons! Learn about why more students are opting to enroll in their local community college, rather than going straight to four year institutions.

In the past, four-year universities always seemed to carry more prestige and practical professional preparation than their two-year counterparts. However, as prices for universities continue to rise and community colleges expand their fields of study and improve their quality, the field of higher education appears to be changing. Today, community college enrollment is increasing exponentially at schools across the country, while four-year institutions have seen a small drop in student population within the past year. We’ll take a look at the numbers and explore some of the reasons why more students might be choosing to go to community college today.
Changing Times or One-Time Blip?

According to a recent story in the Courier-News, national college enrollment figures dropped last year by about two percentage points. While a single-year statistic is nothing to write home about, many financial experts see this downturn as the beginning of a trend – the burst of the bubble on higher education. Some attribute the lower enrollment to fewer jobs and higher tuition rates that make parents and students alike question the real value of a bachelor’s degree today.

Open admission policies at many schools that allow students who did not perform as well in high school the opportunity to pursue a higher education

While there are numerous benefits to heading to a community college, either right out of high school or midway through a career, the decision is not right for everyone. Scholarships.com also reports on some of the drawbacks of community college, including:

Fewer classes to choose from, as most community colleges are limited to degree programs that can be completed in just two years

The lack of a campus community, although some community colleges are adding on-campus living that allows students to experience college life to the fullest

Lack of involvement in other activities, since many students at community colleges have families or are working full time at the same time they are attending school

Is Community College Right for You?

When weighing the pros and cons, it is really up to each individual student as to whether community college is a better option. The reason for going to community college instead of a four-year university may be financial, academic or career-oriented. According to CollegeBoard.com, community college may be a good choice if you fall into one of the following categories:

You would like to save money on the cost of your higher education

You are planning to transfer to a four-year university after your two-year program is completed

You want to “try out” college for a period of time to see if the world of higher education is a good fit for you

You need a flexible schedule that can work around your job or family responsibilities

You are anxious to get started on a career and you want a condensed training program that will take you where you want to go faster

If you decide that community college is the best choice for you – as many Americans are doing today – it is important to select the best school for your needs. Since most areas of the country have a number of community colleges to choose from, it is much easier to tailor the school to meet your precise needs. Some of the factors to consider when choosing a community college include location, fields of study available and the cost of tuition. The right community college can jumpstart your higher education efforts or your career prospects, with a fraction of the time and money required to earn your degree.

From nuclear medicine to physical therapy, consider 10 in-demand jobs for community college graduates. With salaries ranging from $50,000 to even $100,000, opportunities are ripe for those with the right training from community colleges.

President Obama recently introduced a plan to deliver free Community College tuition to all Americans across the country. Is it the right call?
In this story, we will not attempt to make a judgment call on whether free Community College is right or wrong for the United States. Instead, we paneled a few experts in education and economics to get their take on the issue. We’re showing both sides of the coin, and letting readers decide on their own.

With so many higher education options, we compare community colleges against other institutions to help you find the best option for your needs. We’ll look at how community colleges are outperforming 4-year schools, study the latest data on the ROI of community colleges and explore why more students are turning to them.